26-year-old Bashas’ gets ‘state-of-the-art’ renovation

One of south Tempe’s most recognizable shopping centers is showing off its newest finery this week with completion of a full-scale remodeling that brings it in line with some of the area’s most upscale retail developments.
Cobblestone Village Center, on the southwest corner of Warner Road and McClintock Drive, winds up a five-month-plus upgrade on Wednesday, Nov. 7, as officials unveil the results of a major architectural overhaul, including a completely renovated Bashas’ store, said to represent a new standard among the firm’s Arizona operations.
With covered parking, a cafe with flat screen TVs, a gourmet deli, an expanded bakery and numerous other 21st Century features, store officials say the changes will offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Stephen Mariani, vice president of asset management for West Valley Properties, which oversees both Cobblestone and the neighboring McClintock Fountains centers, said the redevelopment initiative resulted from numerous conversations with Bashas’ officials, all focused on achieving revitalization of the center and helping to ensure the neighborhood’s continuing stability.
As part of the project, the 26-year-old Bashas’ store was completely redesigned, presenting the grocer’s newest prototype design: a contemporary neighborhood store with a fresh appearance.
Johnny Basha, vice president of special projects for the chain, hailed the project as a notable achievement for Bashas’ and the community.
“During the last 80 years we’ve opened a lot of stores,” said Basha. “We’ve closed a few, too, but it’s rare for us to close a store and rebuild a completely new store in the same spot.
“When this new, modern grocery store opens, it will be unlike any other in the state.”
According to Mariani, discussions between his firm and Bashas’ centered on what Mariani described as the need to provide a modern, state-of-the-art supermarket and shopping center to better serve the needs of a long-established following among customers, as well as to attract new ones.
“We both agreed that residents of the neighborhoods near Cobblestone Village Center deserve a shopping experience that reflects their neighborhood,” Mariani said.
To accomplish that goal, West Valley Properties removed a section of the center that wasn’t being utilized to its potential, at the same time adding 13,000 square feet of usable space.
The commercial real estate firm also made major updates to the center’s architectural features, landscaping and parking lot.
Among improvements:
Junior anchor space: Added 13,000 square feet;
Architectural features: Resurfaced the building, refinished the entire exterior surface, painted a coordinated multi-color scheme to enhance the overall appeal of the property, added a variety of new architectural elements to the roof line to provide a more modern look;
Landscaping: Removed unruly landscape and brought in a more orderly, colorful palette to greatly improve visibility to and throughout the center;
Parking lot: Resurfaced the entire parking area, updated all lighting, and installed two monument signs.
As to the Bashas’ store, it will encompass 45,115 square feet and employ 103 people, including cashiers, courtesy clerks, managers and others.
Said store director Chris Thompson:
“There’s a lot of excitement out there, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this new store in a big way.”